Inside the Institute

Ask Sam: Can I Just Have Beer and Nachos for Dinner?

Q: Let's say I want to have a beer and a few nachos after work…does that replace dinner?

A: Bar food isn’t on any healthy diet plan, so I can’t give this one my blessing. A plate of nachos starts in the neighborhood of 1,500 calories and climbs from there. See if you can get by with a beer (about 100 calories for a bottle of light brew) and one bite, and count it as a snack. Afterward, have a more sensible, balanced meal at home. If it’s too tough to say, “No, thanks,” count it as a dinner and then make a mental U-turn right back to healthier eating habits.

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